In this category I share some of the research that I find interesting or was helpful on my journey to become a better writer and storyteller. I hope you find this information useful as well.
If you woke up this morning,
And you are feeling blue
Don’t give up!
If the day is really gloomy,
And there is nothing you can do
Don’t give up!
If your car is overheating,
And your service overdue
Don’t give up!
If your boss pouts when you are late,
And finds a mistake or two
Please, please Don’t give up
The best will come to you
A PRAYER FOR ASPIRING WRITERS Believe in yourself in all you do Deep faith will always see you through Today may be your sunny day Do not give up and run away You may feel sad and dismayed at times When hard work leads to wasted lines Believe in yourself in all you do Trust that success will come to you Paula
Is it a gift from Heaven
Reminding us he is there
As we watch it drift slowly down
And embrace itself everywhere
Is it to replenish the forests
And nourish those that reside
During their long winter sleep
Until spring rolls in like the tide
This blanket of snow is comfort to all
Whether man, woman, or child
And helps us to remember
Each time it snows, God smiled
IT’S A NEW DAWN
How were your Holidays? Mine were not at all like previous years. Two in my family had Covid-19, thereby necessitating we zoom them while opening gifts and eating our Christmas dinner without parts of our family. Many items ordered did not arrive in time for giving—and selection in most stores was poor. Even Amazon delivered in two or three days, instead of their usual overnight.
The best thing about the Holidays, this year, is that 2020 would soon be gone, and with the vaccines, we hope to see the end of Covid-19, job losses, businesses closing, staying home, virtual learning, and more, allowing us to look forward to a NEW DAWN AND 2021.
What is your next step? Is it Editing, finding an Agent, or a Publishing House?
Do use a professional Editing person or company. Writer’s Digest offers a second Draft Service, you may consider. After reading your first ten pages, they will suggest how to improve your manuscript, to make it saleable, at an affordable price.
Next:… HOW TO SEARCH FOR, AND FIND THE RIGHT AGENT.
Keep on Writing: Paula
LOOK TO THE SUN AS THE FLOWER DOES
AND
YOU WILL NEVER SEE SHADOWS
We all need some time to spend in the sun—to renew our bodies, improve our mental health and find the lost spring in our footsteps. These past months have taken its’ toll on all of us. Some of us are still not working. Some of us are returning to a changed normal, and there are those who lost faith and need to be inspired again.
There are still unwritten pages of your life to be lived and memories to make and share with those you love. So,get up and go rescue yourself from these last months and even though you have travelled through life’s uncertain road this year, try to think of the good times, the friends you can help, who are grieving, or lost their jobs, and lend a helping hand to those who need a lift-up.
Be grateful to the angels who came to our rescue and worked tirelessly throughout this Pandemic—saving so many lives because they cared.
We are a country of believers, who will go on with our wonderful memories with spirits lifted and a renewed determination to live life to its fullest.
Paula
IS A CRITIQUE NECESSARY?
I have a question: Did you ask a family member, friend, or maybe a few fellow authors to give you an honest judgment of your first ten pages of your new story? If you did, — “ HURRAH TO YOU!’’ I am certain it convinced you to continue. That judgment was a short Critique.
Now that you are finished, are you considering a final Critique: If you are not… allow me to explain why I feel a Critique of your finished novel is necessary.
Write the Story you’re anxious to write
Be is sad, scary, romantic, or light
When all is done never fear
A final review is always near
Read Below and you will see
Why a Critique is Important to me
First: WHAT IS A CRITIQUE?? It is a report that reviews and examines you finished story, essay, or any important art, and evaluates it seriously. Today, Book Reports analyzed by students and the analysis and critique of stories or novels carry on, a Greek Tradition
1.STYLE: Whether it is family or professional, the person doing the critique, probably will read it first before analyzing if book is worth reading your style and pacing.— Is it a typical romance, mystery, or historical novel? What is the novel’s major argument and is it saleable? What are its strong and weak points. How effective is the author’s ability to move the plot along.
2, CHARACTERS: Who are they…how do they react, will they be different at the end or not. Do they add tension to the story.
3. POINT OF VIEW: First, Second, or Third person Does it remain consistent throughout the novel.
4. SEASON:: what season is it, winter, summer, fall or spring. Is it set in a country atmosphere or city or a foreign country..
5. DIALECT: Do your characters speak contemporary, formal, archaic, and do they too remain consistent?.
6. PACING: Do your mix sentences—some short, some long? Do you reveal character thoughts and feelings; for example: anxiety, emotion, fear, love, and do your characters change at the finality.?
7. CONCLUSION: Will the ending be satisfactory to your readers, and does it solve all the question and situations occurring in your novel.
.NOTE: Your final Critique will allow you to make any new changes, to your story, prior to editing and publication
Paula
by Paula Perron
For some time now, I have listened to news reports that the teenage group are not only carriers of Covid 19, but are also candidates for acquiring this virus, and parents feel their teen is not taking it seriously. I remember when I was a teen, I too felt the world was mine for the taking—that I was infallible, and I was living in the present, and my parents were living in the past. It was after I grew older, that I learned how to be more humble, and more compassionate. I do sympathize with parents who constantly stress the dangers of passing on this virus and who leave the discussion without satisfaction. At this time, all teens should listen, and all parents should not give up. I humbly ask parents not to stop teaching, speaking, and being the best parents you can be, for your teen will recognize the danger.
LISTEN TEENS BELIEVE: It is real…You can pass it on —you can catch Covid 19, and you may lose someone you love.
BELIEVE IN MAGIC by Paula Perron
When I was a little girl, every Saturday morning, I would walk to the local library for story time at 9 am. Once there, I sat excited and ready to listen to the fairy tale the librarian planned for that week.
For one hour I entered into a magical world where a princess always marries a prince and they live happily ever after.
In the magical world, crickets and animals talk, a wooden puppet becomes a real boy, Elephants can fly, wishes come true, and a kiss awakens a sleeping beauty.
Today I still find magic in a different way
There is magic in how the trees know when to waken and when to sleep; the flowers know when to bloom; the snow and rain know when they are wanted; food we eat grows in dirt and on trees, and the magic of love comes to everyone If they believe.
We all move as life demands
In a world that yet awaits
For us to give a helping hand
And carry all the weights
Now is the time for us to change
And do what must be done
We will seek a new exchange
A new tempo has begun
In the 20’s and 30’s Louis Armstrong inspired Jazz
Duke Ellington gave it pizzazz
Ella Fitzgerald came around then
Gene Autry was in the saddle again
We go to the 40’s and in demand
Is Harry James and his band
Tommy Dorsey plays his best
Doris day is his guest
It’s the 50’s and who should appear
New Groups and Singers I had to hear
Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Johnny Cash
Kay Starr, Loretta Lynn, Ink Spots, make a splash
In the 60’s and 70’s, Pop Music is in
Beach Boys, Beatles, Carpenters win
Elton John, Carole King, Marvin Gaye
Hot. Hot, Hot, all the way
The 80’s on there’s lots of mix
Country, Pop and Rock gives us the fix
Rihanna, Phil Collins, Taylor Swift, all great
Take the time to listen, don’t wait
